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In many languages (especially Hebrew in which I work), words can appear in a special form called the construct form in which you can expect that word to be attached to another word. I would like to know that what is the term used for the opposite of a construct form? Meaning, a word which is self-standing and independent, and not attached to another word.

Example: The word צור means rock. The phrase צור החלמיש means chalamish rock, with the word צור appearing in the construct.

If I had the word צור with the modifier, what is that form of the word called?

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    Well, in Hebrew the whole construction is called 'smichut', the modified noun 'nismach', the modifier 'somech'. Sometimes the modified is referred to as 'nomen regens', the modifier as 'nomen rectum'.
    – Aharon M. Vertmont
    Commented Aug 17, 2018 at 13:04
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    I don't know anything about Hebrew, but "citation form" might be relevant.
    – Azor Ahai -him-
    Commented Aug 17, 2018 at 22:03

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In Semitic linguistics it is customary to refer to the "absolute state" and the "construct state", or their Latin equivalents "status absolutus" and "status constructus".

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    It is worth noting that the distinction need not be binary. Aramaic, for instance, also has an emphatic state. (So "opposite" in the question is slightly misleading.)
    – Keelan
    Commented Aug 17, 2018 at 18:37
  • @fdb Is the "definitive" state the same as the "absolute" state in linguistics?
    – Reb Chaim HaQoton
    Commented Sep 11, 2018 at 20:37

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